Move a little, change a lot

June 23rd, 2015

All too often we forget how important it is to move. Movement activates all kinds of important systems in our bodies and minds that make us feel better and more productive. It’s almost like cheating. Tired, stuck, bored, unproductive? Move! Go for a walk instead of meeting at a desk. Park farther away in the morning and do breathing exercises that oxygenate your brain during the extra time. Small changes can produce big results.

Movement causes our body to release endorphins, our feel-good hormones. Moving boosts our metabolism which gives us more energy and help us power through long tasks or the afternoon doldrums. Moving during other tasks, like doing air squats during a phone call, improves neural connectivity since it multiple parts of our brain are engaged and cooperating.

Don’t try and do all of this at once though. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. So pick ONE and put it on a sticky note. Go a step farther and draw a little 21-day calendar on your sticky and check off each time day you are successful. Watch those checks turn into a chain.